I'm windsurfing for 3 years. This summer will be my 4th year. I can jibe in the both directions. I can go really fast and the volume of the board that I rent is below 105 volumes. I want to go fast and race. Am I ready to buy an isonic and a slalom sail??

Please answer;
emir633

nonopr

5th November 2009, 03:07 AM

yes you are ready for an iSonic either 101 or 94 and sails from 5.0 to 7.6 in either of them.

emir633

7th November 2009, 02:53 AM

thanx and why are you think like that cause most of my friends said me that it is early to buy an isonic...

Vando

7th November 2009, 07:51 AM

thanx and why are you think like that cause most of my friends said me that it is early to buy an isonic...
I think your friends will know what best for you.
Maybe a good step would be the Futura 101 still very fast but just easier to gybe and handle.

emir633

7th November 2009, 11:32 PM

but i think im ready because im so fast and good at gybing..

emir633

11th November 2009, 10:23 PM

is there anyone can really help me?

Roger

12th November 2009, 12:25 AM

Hi emir633,
You can certainly buy a 90-100 liter iSonic, and get a couple of good slalom race sails to power the board.
Who knows why your friends want to keep you on other boards? I guess you need to ask them.
But, being able to jibe, and your ability to go fast (compared to whom or what other boards, rigs and sailors?) does not necessarily mean that an iSonic and a couple of good slalom race sails will make you into a sucessful racer.
Have you ever raced (in an orgainzed slalom event, not just against your buddies at the local club)?
Also, what are the conditions you sail in?
Is an iSonic really the most suitable board for your conditions?
I know, lots of questions and no answers here, but the only way to find the real answers is to buy the iSonic and slalom race sails (with the high carbon masts they were designed on) and go out and see how you do "on the water".
Sailors do progress much more quickly on the modern gear, so there is a strong likelyhood that you are "ready" for something like an isonic, but unless you are sailing near the front of the fleet in organized slalom races, there is no way of telling if you are
ready for slalom racing.
You have to enter the races, and see you well you do, then decide if the iSonic/rigs was
really the best way to go.
And, (here's the hard part), if you do not do well in the organized slalom races, with gear that is known to be at the front of the fleet much of the time, you need to work on improving your skills (sailing consistently fast, making all your jibes, starting well, tuning your gear for changing conditions).
When you are consistently at the front of the fleet in at least regoinal level racing..... then you are fast!
Hope this helps,

Screamer

12th November 2009, 04:27 AM

but i think im ready because im SO FAST and GOOD AT GYBING..
This made me chuckle ;-)

Maybe your friends are a bit cautious because you ask about catapulting? Mind you, these can be ugly on that wide square nose.......

emir633

12th November 2009, 08:30 PM

Roger,

thanks a lot. I didn't raced before in an organized slalom event. I was renting the kit from a surf school. I was using jp supersport and a slalom sail. I understand what you r saying but I don't understand one thing? Am I ready to buy a slalom kit???

Ken

12th November 2009, 09:34 PM

Emir,

A freeride board like the Futura will be faster than an iSonic in the hands of most novice and intermediate sailors. It's easier to sail and has better control in choppy conditions than the iS. Experts can reap the benefits of the true slalom boards and can potentially go faster. Overall, if you aren't a dedicated slalom racer with a lot of experience, the Futura will likely suit you better and be more fun.

Speed is a product of the sailor and his ability to control the board in fully powered, rough conditions. I think that at your level of experience, you will be faster on the futura.

Good success in slalom racing means that you don't make mistakes. Great starts, consistent planing jibes & no falls = winning. Speed is secondary.

Just my thoughts............

emir633

13th November 2009, 12:48 AM

I'm very confused. Someone says that I must buy an iSonic, someone says that I mustn't buy an iS. What am I gonna dooo?!?!?!

Ken

13th November 2009, 01:38 AM

Opinions will vary and the bottom line is that you could buy either one and do just fine. If it is the iS, it will be more of a challenge to master. The Futura will be easier and more fun in my opinion. Top speeds will be very close so I wouldn't let speed be the deciding factor.

Your personality and commitment should be the guiding force. If you are very agressive and dedicated and may race slalom, then the iS may be the board. If you just like to have fun and blast back and forth, then the Futura is the board.,

leysenkr

13th November 2009, 02:08 AM

maybe you can wait for a Starboard test day within your neighborhood. Then you can test both.

mark h

13th November 2009, 02:11 AM

Emir633, 4-years windsurfing can seem like a long time, but during this 4-years how often have you got out? One a month, once a week or every day. Some one sailing every day for 12-months will have more "time on water" (experience) than an average week-end warrior.

Roger asked all the right questions and made all the comments. Could you answer his questions to help get the right answers to you?

As screamer pointed out, you recently started a thread about "how not to get catapulted". Although we crash & burn from time to time, Im wondering if "full on" slalom kit is suitable for some one asking this question.

You might be better asking your self "am I really ready/prepaired to give slalom kit a go. You will no the true answer.

As already pointed out, today's slalom kit is way easier to use compaired to the old school Sputniks etc, and modern kit has a much wider wind range making kit selection much easier.

One option would be to buy a second hand slalom board like a Sonic 100 or earlier iS94 and get a couple of used freerace sails. If you like it, then jump and get newer kit.

One thing I would say is, stepping out of our comfort zone is a good thing, initial struggles are often rewarded by moving on to another level.

Don't think about it to much, just go for it, what's the worst that can happen???